Resurgent Roddick stopped in his tracks

MELBOURNE, Jan 25 (Reuters) Andy Roddick's resurgence as a major force in tennis was halted in stunning fashion by Roger Federer in the Australian Open semi-finals today.

The American sixth seed went into the match confident of improving his 1-12 career record against the world number one but his challenge was left in tatters by Federer's 6-4 6-0 6-2 destruction.

Roddick gave a blunt assessment of how felt during the match.

''It was frustrating, it was miserable, it sucked,'' Roddick told a news conference. ''Apart from that it was fine.'' Roddick, a former world number one and US Open champion, paid tribute to his opponent's devastating performance.

''He played well, no doubt, he was coming up with some great shots tonight,'' the American said. ''He outplayed me, he played a lot better than me and he deserves all the praise that he gets not just for what he does on the court but how he handles himself.'' Roddick said he had no inkling before the match that he was in for such a drubbing.

''I didn't foresee it at all,'' he said. ''You try not to get discouraged, you try to take it like a man and I will get up in the morning and try and work out how to go forward from here.'' The 24-year-old admitted he had not played up to the standard of tennis he produced on the way to the semi-finals with victories over former champion Marat Safin and ninth seed Mario Ancic.

''I don't feel like I played like I have for the rest of the tournament,'' he said.

Roddick said Federer would be the overwhelming favourite to win Sunday's final against Fernando Gonzalez or Tommy Haas.

''I think their chances of beating him are slim,'' Roddick said before being asked if he would be able to sleep after such a heavy defeat.

''It depends how much I drink,'' Roddick said.

REUTERS SAM PM1741